The US Air Force has awarded global aerospace and defence corporation Northrop Grumman a long-term contract for continued BACN operations, sustainment and support.
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $3.6 billion indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract for the ongoing support of the US Air Force’s Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN).
The prime will be tasked with delivering research, development, test, and evaluation, integration and operations and sustainment for existing and future payloads contained in or connected to the BACN system.
The contract also includes associated ground stations or controls, ancillary equipment, support equipment and system integration laboratories.
Northrop is set to execute its tasks from San Diego, California, and in overseas locations through to January 2026.
“We are honoured to work with the Air Force to continue to bring the critical gateway communications capabilities of the BACN program to US warfighters operating around the world,” Ben Davies, vice president and general manager of networked information solutions division at Northrop Grumman, said.
“This ID/IQ award demonstrates the commitment to the continued success of the BACN program.”
Northrop Grumman’s BACN system is a high-altitude, airborne communications gateway, designed to translate and distribute imagery, voice and tactical data from disparate elements.
According to Northrop, the BACN enhances situational awareness communications and co-ordination for joint warfighters operating across space, air, land and sea.
Article written by Charbel Kadib.
